The need to protect and teach the girl child, for them to play a vital role in the new digital age has been emphasised.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information Technology, Mr. Dayo Abiodun made this submission at a virtual meeting held in commemoration of 2021 International Day of The Girl Child with the theme: ’The Girl Child, Her Role in The Emerging Digital Economy’.

Abiodun said it was imperative to give priority to the mental, emotional and physical development of a girl child, noting that there should not be disparity in whatever skill that both genders could acquire.

"It is important to empower female child, our country has gone beyond giving priority to only male child, as the era of gender inequality is a thing of the past. When you empower a woman, you empower the whole country, female child needs a vital role to play in this digital age, so we need to empower them", he said.

Also speaking, the Director, Information Technology in the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte said the theme was in accordance with the international standard in eradicating gender disparity, saying women and girls should be encouraged to take up technology education and career, for gender equality and inclusion in the workplace.

In her remark, the National Coordinator, Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE), Dr. Aminat Sambo-Magaji, stated that the digital inclusion of the girl child was paramount for them to live up to expectation and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation at large.